Follicle-stimulating hormone deficiency

Mechanism of Action A testosterone derivative that suppresses the pituitary-ovarian axis by inhibiting the output of pituitary gonadotropins. Causes atrophy of both normal and ectopic endometrial tissue in endometriosis. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are depressed in fibrocystic breast disease. Inhibits steroid synthesis and binding of steroids to their receptors in breast tissues. Increases serum levels of esterase inhibitor. Therapeutic Effect Produces anovulation and amenorrhea, reduces the production of est rogen, corrects biochemical deficiency as seen in hereditary angioedema. 

Rabin, D., Spitz, L, Bercovici, B., Bell, J., Laufer, A., Benveniste, R., andPolishuk, W., Isolated deficiency of follicle stimulating hormone. Clinical and laboratory features. New Engl. J. Med. 287, 1313-1317 (1972). 

In older patients with goiter due to iodine deficiency there is a risk of provoking hyperthyroidism by increasing iodine intake (p. 247) During chronic maximal stimulation, thyroid follicles can become independent of TSH stimulation ( autonomic tissue"). If the iodine supply is increased, thyroid hormone production increases while TSH secretion decreases due to feedback inhibition. The activity of autonomic tissue, however, persists at a high level thyroxine is released in excess, resulting in iodine-induced hyperthyroidism. 

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